Former Prineville resident dies in prison

A Prineville man who was serving a prison sentence for fatally shooting another local resident at a trailer park residence in November 2009 died this past weekend while in custody.

Richard Lynn Breneman, who was incarcerated at Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla County, died Sunday morning, Oct. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the medical examiner will determine cause of death.

Breneman was involved in a standoff in a Prineville trailer park off of Combs Flat Road on Nov. 9, 2009, that ended with him fatally shooting roommate Voy Douglas Powell in the leg and abdomen. Breneman was 69 years old at the time of the incident.

The two men had been drinking heavily and an argument ensued. Prineville police officials said at the time that the two men had a history of arguing with each other. One week before the incident, Breneman had an altercation with Powell, which resulted in charges of fourth-degree assault, strangulation and harassment.

Breneman began his prison sentence on July 29, 2011, and the earliest release date he could have received was Aug. 25, 2020. He was 79 years old at the time of his death. Next of kin has been notified.

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